Danny L. Hernandez was introduced as the new CEO of the HPBC and accepted the challenges of serving the community, in 1981.
The Hollenbeck Police Businessmen’s Council (HPBC) was founded in 1972. At that time, communities of color and law enforcement where experienced large amounts of tension. Also during this time the Chicano moratorium and associated demonstrations where gained momentum. The Hollenbeck Police Businessmen’s Council was made up of local merchants and community leaders who saw the necessity of developing a grassroots organization that could facilitate communication within the community. Danny Hernandez has and continues to serve at the helm of the organization.
Hollenbeck Youth Center press conference, calming the waters of civil unrest in Los Angeles, April 29th, 1992.
By 1976, the development of a new gymnasium facility unfolded known as the Hollenbeck Youth Center (HYC). The Hollenbeck Youth Center had proven to be a staple in the Boyle Heights community responsible for premier programming in education and athletics. In fact, Hollenbeck Youth Center has been responsible for introducing extraordinary Olympians to the 1984, 1992, and 1996 games.
The Inner City Games (ICG) were later founded in 1991 as the next evolution of the organization. ICG served as a vehicle to rebuild self-confidence, self-reliance, and camaraderie among inner-city youth following many years of social unrest and economic disparity.
It was an ambitious vision, but with the help of the community and civic leaders, corporate sponsors, entertainment and sports figures, and law enforcement, the Inner City Games began in East Los Angeles with more than 40,000 youths competing in athletic and academic competitions at a time when the City of Los Angeles needed healing the most — and people enthusiastically embraced it across Southern California.
Priscilla Hernandez (at 12) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (the first executive commissioner) kicked off the first Inner City Games event in 1991.
In the wake of the LA riots in 1992, Hernandez envisioned the Games expanding citywide and then nationally and shared this vision with Arnold Schwarzenegger who served as the ICG’s first Executive Commissioner (1991). The National Inner-City Games Foundation was established in 1992 by Danny Hernandez. Three years later after testing an expansion with Atlanta Georgia, the movement went national. In 1995, under the new national umbrella, ICG expanded to 15 cities across the United States and has involved more than one million young people across the country. In 2003, the Inner-City Games was renamed ‘After School All Stars’ for national branding purposes but retained its original name in Los Angeles.
Today the Hollenbeck Youth Center and Inner City Games are poised to continue the legacy and update their programs to meet the ever-changing needs of our community and children. We’re here to inspire young people to do great things for themselves, their families, and their communities.
The Future of Hollenbeck Youth Center…
The Hollenbeck Youth Center today celebrates five decades of achievements; Creating a movement with lasting effects in our social and criminal justice society.
The organization has been a magnet drawing support from local, state, and national leadership to participate in our community events and human services.
Please continue to support us.